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Democrat Lawrence quits bid for 2nd District

One of the leading Democratic candidates for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District is pulling out of the race.

Mary Lawrence, a physician, said Tuesday she was ending her campaign. Lawrence said in a statement she would not win the party endorsement through the caucus process and running in a primary election would “deeply divide and harm our party.”

The 2016 congressional race will be costly and closely watched due to the retirement of U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican who said in his retirement announcement that the 2nd has become a swing district.

Among current DFL candidates, Lawrence was considered the main challenger to Angie Craig, the leading fundraiser who has been collecting political endorsements as the campaign ramps up.

Lawrence, Craig and another DFL candidate, Roger Kittleson, were scheduled to attend a forum Sunday in Hastings.

The 2nd District stretches from the southern Twin Cities southeast to Wabasha County. It includes Cottage Grove and other south Washington County communities.